Jackets Place Westcott on IRWestcott expected to miss six to eight weeks with a broken finger suffered vs. Calgary on Friday

Jackets Place Westcott on IRWestcott expected to miss six to eight weeks with a broken finger suffered vs. Calgary on Friday

The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed defenseman Duvie Westcott on Injured Reserve due to a broken finger suffered in Friday’s 5-4 win over the Calgary Flames, club President and General Manager Doug MacLean announced Monday. He is expected to have surgery this week and will likely miss six to eight weeks.

Westcott has tallied three goals and five assists for eight points with six penalty minutes in 11 games this season, leading Columbus defensemen in goals, assists (tied) and points. He also ranks third on the club in ice time, averaging 22:27 per game.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native is playing in his fourth NHL season and has registered 9-41-50 and 257 penalty minutes in 166 games with the Blue Jackets. In 2005-06, he collected 6-22-28, 133 penalty minutes with a plus/minus rating of +1 in 78 games as he set career highs in each of those statistical categories. Westcott was signed by Columbus as a free agent on May 7, 2001.

The Blue Jackets return to action on Thursday when they visit the St. Louis Blues. Game time is set for 8 p.m. ET with live coverage on FSN Ohio beginning with the IceBreaker pre-game show at 7:30 p.m. Coverage also includes the Blue Jackets Ice Cap post-game show immediately following the game. The game will also be broadcast live on the Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship stations WBNS-AM Sports Radio 1460 the Fan and WWCD-FM, CD101.